Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-24

His Costume as HAOmc In the COunsl
and Again In LonGOn.

From the D. Losts Dspuh,ica>.
Tennyson, IN h1s own grounds at hons looks
the poet nom Top 20 toe. He II even theatrically
costumed, In his dashing felt w1de-awake Byronic
collar carelessly lolling like dogs ears over an
any-how-wisped up neckerchief and the famous
Inverness cape, half coat half cloak, hung grandy
over hts shoulders II was only few weeks ago
that saw the noble hermit who d highlands
poet laureate. It was In a busy London thorough
fare, midday, and his lordship looked ~ thorough
a fish out OF water as any Norwegian rustic who
strays into Broadway from Castle Garden. As no
one seemed to notice him IL was evident they
took him for East End jew dealer In s'old clo,"
which he strangely resembles The romantic
wide-awake was discarded for dismal antique,
lootand-a-halt tall silk tile that proclaimed II
years at least. The Inverness cape was there. OF
course, but II was closely Rugged up 70 the neck,
with the vulgar herd the laureate 80 breads. HIS
feet shuf1ed and slid barely one foot's length az
a step, and the way those inspired, but damp and
Of genius was enough to sadden the heart Of the
sparrows
Tsnnyson always has been a genuine Bnton.
dog IN him. Carlyle had more OF the snarling cur,
put Tennys0n Is one OF the uncouthest otd-schooi
e muG ~ nss
When he Is In his most amiable mood ne IL apt To
% absent and makes you feel doubtful whether he
Tennyson was driven from his lovely Isle Of Wight
home BY the hordes OF sightseers who invaded his
groands his house, and would have shipped his
curls and his collars BY the inch as relics II he had
stayed there much longer. SO he built himself q
house out OF the princely fortune his books have
Drought him, though he has been the most business
fame
The poets new house stands in charming bit
OF sussex lanscape, Tar from the beaten track lest
the crowd should follow. The old seaside home is
stu used for portion of the year, but in this
now fading life. 1t Is pitched high, on q richly
wooded RIDGE whence the eye may sweep Q land
scape teeming with all the varied luxurfes OF the
works say that Tennysons latter poems are In
spired by the hills that surround his sussex home
IN contrast to the earlier ones, influenced by the
NAT expanses OF Lincolnshire, where he spent MS
young days. He has buried his homo amid trees.
They stand all around like thick phalanx OF sem
tries, keeping grim watch and ward over the
strange man who will be heard but will not be
and pretty, though no especial pride is taken In
anything outside the walls. Thegarden OF his Isle
OF Wight house was more picturesquely ragged
than elegantly ordered.
There is an old-world nayor in the many.cor-
nered Gothic mansion whose gables and pinnacles
stick out "ike quilts upon the fretful porcupine."
The interior Is rich In its design and furnishing,
poets Locksley Hall. He reads and writes near q
window that commands q view OF the nne wood,
ana among these OdorOus trees he takes his list
less strolls, sometimes condescending to give the
villagers glimpse OF his Queer-lo0king person
aiity, but not when strangers are likely 10 be
about. Since he accepted Mr.. Gladstone's peerage
Though he will live as plain Alfred Tennyson) he
his grac1ousness. In return for his barony Tenny.
son gave one vote in the house OF peers IL his
nrSt and soon after his election on Gladstones
then his utterance and mis- sympatSies have been
In the opposite direction.